Parsi New Year 2023: Why do Parsis celebrate two new years? Here's all you need to know

Parsi New Year 2023: The Parsi New Year, also known as Nowruz, is the day that marks the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature. It is celebrated by different cultures and communities around the world, including India. In India, the auspicious day falls between July and August every year.

The word Nowruz is made up of two Persian words, ‘Now’, which means new and ‘Roz’, which means day. The tradition of celebrating Parsi New Year is believed to have been observed by Iranians and Zoroastrians for the past 3,000 years. The festival is based on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar.

Nowruz: Tale of two Parsi New Years

Parsis or Zoroastrians celebrate two new years. Before understanding what the significance behind celebrating New Year twice is, one must be aware of the Parsi community.

Parsis are the followers of the Iranian prophet Zoroaster, whomigrated to Medieval India during and after the Arab conquest of the Persian Empire. They fled the early Muslim conquests of Persia to preserve their Zoroastrian identity. In present-day India, Parsis live mainlyin Mumbai. Some Parsis also live in Karachi (Pakistan) and Bengaluru (India).

Parsis have two New Year celebrations due to the historical and cultural reasons that are connected to their migration and interaction with different societies.

The first Parsi New Year is based on the spring equinox and generally falls on or around March 21. Though celebrated in March globally, Navroz arrive 200 days later in India and is celebrated in the month of August as the Parsis here follow the Shahenshahi calendar that doesn’t account for leap years.

In India, Navroz is also known as Jamshed-i-Navroz, after the Persian King, Jamshed. King Jamshed is credited with having created the Shahenshahi calendar.

In India, people celebrated both New Years- first based on the Iranian calendar and second according to the Shahenshahi calendar.

Celebrations

On this day, Parsi people pray for good health and prosperity, spending their day cleaning their homes and adorning them with flowers and rangolis. They don traditional attire and visit the fire temple, also known as the ‘Agiary’, where they offer milk, flowers, fruits and sandalwood to the sacred fire.

The festivities revolve around the ‘Four Fs’ — fire, fragrance, food and friendship. The occasion involves indulging in delectable Parsi cuisine, seeking forgiveness for the past year’s transgressions, mental purification and embarking on the New Year with love and harmony.

(With inputs from agencies)

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